I run into lots of folks who don’t like to wear helmets. Let me begin this article by saying that I think helmets are NECESSARY, just as important as a seatbelt in a car. I’ve got too many friends with cracked helmets rather than cracked noggins. I’ve seen the helmets. It’s true. I had my own thank-god-I-had-my-helmet-on experience a few years ago. I...

Since I often bicycle to the store or to meet with my website customers, I need some way to carry my stuff that is convenient and stylish, something that I can detach from my bike and carry with me when I arrive at my destination. I used to just use my Ortlieb handlebar bag but it wasn’t working very well for me. It’s too big, too boxy, too ugly, and too bright yellow. It’s...

Let’s face it everybody… spandex doesn’t look good on most people. It most certainly doesn’t look good on ME. And cycling jerseys aren’t very comfortable. They are unfashionable at best and garishly annoying at their worst. I’m just not going to play dress up like Bradley Wiggins (2012 Tour de France winner) and parade down the street on my big fat…...

This list is rather comprehensive for those of you who are looking for detailed info and will be boring if you’re not into gear lists. I’ll be posting my final thoughts next so just skip this page unless you’re really interested. After two Katy Trail tours and several handfuls of weekend tours, Craig and I had really fine-tuned our gear before we started our C&O / GAP tour...

As is my habit, I’ve spent the month before our COGAP tour in 2010 exhaustively researching the internet to prepare for this adventure. For my geeky readers, here’s a list of the most helpful resources that I’ve found for the C&O Canal Path / Great Allegheny Passage area. http://elephanteating.blogspot.com/2009/03/c-and-o-canal-campsite-guide.html Journal with a cool name!...

For the geeks like me who like this kinda’ stuff… here’s my equipment list from our six day Katy Trail tour in 2008: Kona Dew Hybrid Bicycle with Shimano Deore gearing system upgrade Ortleib waterproof rolltop back panniers – Ortleib waterproof panniers are pricey but are the absolute best panniers you can buy and they will last forever. REI 15 degree F. down sleeping bag...

The Katy Trail is one of the easiest introductions to touring. You can get a little taste without two of the biggest hassles of bicycle touring — car traffic and big hills — but still experience an intense week of camping and pedaling. Our Katy Trail expedition was a great test of our gear and our touring planning and we learned a lot. I encourage you to try it yourself! If...